Real Estate Investing in Brownsville, Texas (78526)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 78526 (Brownsville, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Brownsville, TX (78526)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 78526 Brownsville
The 78526 ZIP covers a section of Brownsville that demands careful diligence. Prices near $237K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
For an experienced owner, 78526 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $237K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
The gap between 78526 and stronger Brownsville ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Who lives in 78526 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. notable returns are possible in 78526, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Brownsville:
Property Strategy for 78526
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $136,024 | $1,240 | 6.6% | +11.5% | $68,012 |
| 3BR | $229,209 | $1,670 | 5.2% | +10.0% | $76,403 |
| 4BR | $301,525 | $1,750 | 4.2% | +9.1% | $75,381 |
| 5BR | $352,109 | — | — | +8.2% | $70,422 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 78526 Compare?
| Metric | 78526 | Brownsville | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $236,818 | $200,138 | N/A | $297,000 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.8% | 6.5% | N/A | 5.4% |
| Avg Rent | $1,930 | $1,622 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 6.4% | 6.3% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 78526 (Brownsville, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $236,818 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,930 |
| Price-to-Rent | 10.2:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 9.8% |
| Cap Rate | 6.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 13.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +4.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.0% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -4.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.4%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 78526
Population: 59,719
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 78526
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 2,228 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is tenant demand in Brownsville, TX?
Working renters make up the core of the Brownsville, TX tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
Is Brownsville, TX better for rentals, flips, or BRRRR?
For Brownsville, TX, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.
Where do home prices stand in Brownsville, TX?
Brownsville, TX median home values land near $237K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,930/mo-per-month rentals.
What is it like being a landlord in Brownsville, TX?
TX law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Brownsville inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.
What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Brownsville, TX?
Occupancy in Brownsville, TX runs steady with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,930/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
You know 78526 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 78526 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 78526 ranks in Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
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